1440p vs 4K — Which Resolution is Better? How Do They Compare to 1080p?

1440p, or QHD is 5 times the resolution of 1080p full HD, but it is still beneath the 4K resolution by a long shot. However, with the higher resolution comes a higher price tag and more factors to be aware of.

In the end, is the better picture quality worth your money? You will find out in this expert review of 1440p VS 4K.

What is 1440p

1440p has a screen resolution of 2560×1440. It is also commonly referred to as QHD.

1440p Pros

Let’s take a closer look at the pros of the 1440p in the 1440p VS 4K review.

1440p is a more affordable option compared to its counterpart, but can still deliver impressive resolution. Compared to the 4K, the 1440 takes up less CPU power and storage and less equipment is needed to reach a 60 frame per second standard.

man watching tv

1440p Cons

The cons of a 1440p screen is quite obvious – it offers a lower resolution. A lower resolution means the pictures are less defined and the pixelation [1] occurs much sooner than a 4K screen.

What is 4K

A 4K resolution screen is 3860×2160 and it is one of the best screens for gamers.

4K Pros

The higher the resolution, the more screen real estate you get. The movie theater giants Dolby Cinema and IMAX, for example, have the largest display screen because of their impressive resolution. 

This means more content fits into the screen than a monitor with a lower resolution. This makes it ideal for not only gamers, but also for your workflow if you do video editing and such tasks.

The sharper imaging also contributes to a more immersive and realistic experience no matter what you are doing.

tv and Vizio soundbar

4K Cons

Other than requiring more storage and CPU power, 4K screens run into a lot of scaling issues. If you go from one page to the next depending on your screen size, you can end up with very blurry text. This is seen when you go from 27 to 24-inch screens.

Lastly, the price of 4K screens is also higher than QHD. So if you are on a budget, the QHD should suffice for everyday use.

1440p vs 4K: In Everyday Use and Gaming

You won’t really need to invest in 4K for everyday use, but for professional video editing or similar tasks, the 4K does have its benefits.

As for gaming, the 4K offers benefits that the QHD 1440p just cannot meet. When looking at 4k vs 1440p for gaming, the 4K is by far the better option. Just for visual experience alone, the 4K offers sharper pictures and heightened details.

soundbar and tv mounted on wall

With the higher resolution however, you also need some heavy duty hardware to support that power. We’re talking about strong graphics cards, CPU, and a 4K monitor.

Our experts will add that for efficiency of carrying out editing and designing tasks while doubling as a good gaming resolution screen all at an affordable price, the 1440p is your best option.

FAQ

Is 1440p and 4k the same?

No, 1440p and 4K are not the same. 1440p, also referred to as QHD, has a screen resolution of 2560×1440 pixels and 4K quality has the screen resolution of 3860×2160, which makes it capable of producing higher quality images.

Is 1440p 2k or 4k?

1440p is 2K, as 4K is a higher resolution. 1440p is often shortened to 2K because of the screen resolution of 2560×1440. Another common term for 1440p resolution is QHD.

What percent of 4k is 1440p?

1440p is about 44% of 4K. 4K offers much better resolution than 1440p, or often referred to as 2K or QHD. You can expect sharper imaging and clearer pictures from 4K content.

Can a 4k TV run at 1440p?

Yes, you can run 1440p on a 4K TV without upscaling and the quality will still be great. However, the native resolution of 4K on a 4K TV will still deliver the best results and experience for gaming and movies.

Is 1440p better than 4k for gaming?

No, 1440P is not better than 4K for gaming. The winner is largely dependent on your personal preference. 4K offers better imaging quality but 1440p, or 2K, is better for efficiency such as a high refresh rate and frames per second.

Does 1440p look bad on a 4k monitor?

No, 1440p doesn’t look bad on a 4K monitor. However, because of the lack of pixels compared to 4K, if you play 1440p, or 2K content on a 4K monitor, the images will be a bit blurry or pixelated.

Conclusion

In our 1440p VS 4K battle, there is no clear winner. The resolution you go for will hinge on your preference and the purpose of the monitor. For movies, 4K will deliver high quality images like you have never experienced, but 1440p is better for everyday tasks and it is easier on your wallet.

TV in a room

Writer

Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.